Leading member of County Lines gang is jailed
Cynnwys y prif erthygl
Hill admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday 26th January, he was sentenced to 12 years and six months jail.
A significant member of a County Lines gang, which trafficked drugs valued at almost £250,000 from Coventry onto the streets of tourist towns, has been jailed.
The drugs network, which was brought down by the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) working with Warwickshire Local Police teams, included a man caught dealing while a young child was in the vehicle he was using.
The gang operated from January 2019 to July 2020, through CoVID lockdown, and are believed to have supplied at least 2.5kg of crack cocaine and heroin into Stratford-upon-Avon and Royal Leamington Spa.
We found hundreds of marketing messages sent to users from their main drugs hotline, including ones saying: “Come and get ur tackle, still in stock. Best of both.”
Another said: “Active around the clock. Best in town.”
Jordan Hill, aged 33, was a senior player in the gang, managing deliveries, controlling others, carrying out violent acts, and taking orders.
During the case, several vulnerable people were safeguarded, including a 17 year old girl and a one year old baby.
Hill admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, he was sentenced to 12 years and six months jail.
Previously, eight other members of the gang had been jailed for a combined total of 56 years.
Those in charge of the operation did it from distance, making up to £1,500 per day, and controlled others through violence, threats and reputation.
The drug runners faced attack with weapons, by rival gangs or being arrested on the street.
During the investigation we also recovered more than 1,000 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine plus nearly £10,000 in cash.
During sentencing on Friday, His Honour Judge Cooke acknowledged that Hill was regarded as playing a leading role at times and he was a line manager to others, one in particular only 17 years of age.
The judge commented further that this case involved the cuckooing of vulnerable people and noted that Hill used violence on occasion.
If you suspect someone is being exploited to run drugs then please tell us.
Our website has more information and advice on County Lines, including advice if you fear a child is being exploited to run drugs and the signs to look out for: Drugs & County Lines.
This case forms part of Op Target which sees us take a defiant stand against a range of serious and organised crime offences.
Anyone with information about serious and organised crime in their neighbourhood, should report it to us via 101 or Live Chat. In case of an emergency, dial 999. Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously via the independent charity, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.